Chapter 59: Welfare Value

"So much has been achieved in a mere 5 years of my absence," Sam marveled, reflecting on the progress made in his absence.

"It feels as if God himself gave them a hand," he mused, picturing in his mind a giant, majestic, godlike hand guiding Anna and the others, orchestrating their successes.

However, as he entertained this whimsical image, Sam couldn't help but chuckle at his own thoughts. "How could there be any gods in real life?" he wondered aloud, amused by the fanciful notion.

However, what he did not know was that his guess was not entirely wrong.

It was no mere coincidence that so many things happened in his favor.

In reality, it was the hidden benefit of accumulating Welfare Value.

Welfare Value, he discovered, is a quantified measure bestowed upon individuals by their world or civilization based on the benefits they provide to it.

For instance, aiding the poor contributes positively to the civilization as a whole, thereby earning Welfare Value.

Similarly, actions that protect the environment, such as saving Durinia from the contamination of the Abyssal Aura, yield the same.

These Welfare Values come with numerous benefits, one of which is an increase in Luck.

Though not omnipotent, this luck enhances one's developmental prospects significantly. By navigating wisely, one's future becomes immeasurable.

As Sam pondered these revelations, he began to understand the underlying mechanism of his recent good fortune. It wasn't just chance or luck; it was a tangible result of his contributions to society and the environment. His efforts to help others and protect Durinia were not only noble in themselves but also accrued a measurable benefit in the form of Welfare Value. This realization brought a newfound appreciation for the interconnectedness of actions and consequences in his world.

With a wry smile, Sam thought back to his earlier musings about gods and divine intervention. Perhaps there was no need for such mythical explanations when the concept of Welfare Value provided a pragmatic understanding of how positive actions could influence one's life. It wasn't about gods but about the inherent balance and reward system within the fabric of civilization.

Armed with this insight, Sam felt a renewed sense of purpose. Each decision and action he took now seemed to carry a weight beyond immediate outcomes—it contributed to a larger accumulation of Welfare Value, shaping not only his own fate but also the prosperity of those around him. The journey ahead appeared daunting yet exhilarating, filled with opportunities to further increase his Welfare Value and, consequently, his future prospects.

In this way, Sam's understanding evolved from disbelief to acceptance, from skepticism to appreciation, as he embraced the profound implications of Welfare Value in his life's journey.

As Sam delved deeper into the concept of Welfare Value, he realized its implications went far beyond personal fortune. It was a metric that reflected societal harmony and progress. The more individuals contributed positively—whether through charitable deeds, environmental stewardship, or other beneficial actions—the greater the collective Welfare Value of their civilization.

Reflecting on his own experiences, Sam recognized moments where his actions aligned with these principles. His work with Anna and others, the efforts to safeguard Durinia—they all now bore a deeper significance. They were not just isolated achievements but pieces in a larger puzzle of societal well-being.

Moreover, understanding Welfare Value opened his eyes to the interconnectedness of everyone's actions. Every act of kindness, every endeavor to improve the environment, rippled through the fabric of society, contributing to a cumulative reservoir of goodwill and fortune.

Sam also contemplated the practical aspects. If Welfare Value indeed correlated with luck and developmental prospects, then consciously increasing it could pave the way for a more fulfilling and impactful life. It wasn't merely about personal gain but about fostering a thriving community where everyone benefited from each other's contributions.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Sam felt a newfound sense of responsibility. He saw opportunities around him to further enhance Welfare Value, both for himself and for those he cared about. Whether through continued advocacy for environmental conservation, supporting initiatives for social equity, or simply spreading awareness about the concept itself, he could play a role in shaping a brighter future.

As he shared his insights with others, Sam noticed a spark of recognition in their eyes—a realization that their actions mattered more than they might have previously thought. This shared understanding fostered a sense of unity and purpose, reinforcing the idea that every individual had the power to influence their destiny and that of their community.

In embracing the concept of Welfare Value, Sam not only found a framework for understanding his recent successes but also a compass for navigating the complexities of life ahead. It was a journey of growth, where each step taken with intention and compassion could contribute to a world where prosperity and well-being were shared by all.

Thus, armed with this profound understanding, Sam embarked on the next chapter of his life with renewed vigor and determination, knowing that his path was guided not by gods or chance but by the tangible impact of his actions on the world around him.